U.S., Denmark, Greenland to set up work group as 'fundamental disagreement' persists

The United States, Denmark and Greenland have agreed to establish a "high-level working group" to explore possible areas of compromise since a "fundamental disagreement" persists over the future of Greenland, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Wednesday.

His remarks came just after U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met him and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt at the White House.

'Fundamental disagreement'

Though calling the meeting "a frank but also constructive" discussion "focused on how to ensure the long-term security in Greenland," Rasmussen said at a press conference that Denmark and Greenland's "perspectives continue to differ" from the United States.

"I must say, the president (U.S. President Donald Trump) has made his view clear, and we have a different position," Rasmussen said, asserting that in Denmark's view, Greenland's long-term security "can be ensured inside the current framework."

"We agreed that it makes sense to try to sit down on a high level to explore whether there's possibilities to accommodate the concerns of the president while we at the same time, respect the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark. So this is the work we will start," he said, adding that the working group is expected to meet for the first time "within a matter of weeks."

Rasmussen warned that "ideas that would not respect territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of self-determination of the Greenlandic people are, of course, totally unacceptable."

Trump said Wednesday morning that anything less than Greenland becoming a part of the United States "is unacceptable," citing the need for U.S. national security and the Golden Dome project.

Since his first term, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to acquire Greenland. Both Greenland and Denmark have made clear that the island is not for sale. The White House said last week that Trump will not rule out the use of force.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, while Copenhagen retains authority over defense and foreign policy.

EU, NATO allies rally behind Greenland

The European Union (EU) and NATO allies have stepped up political and military support for Greenland, as concerns grow over security in the Arctic following Trump's repeated threats to acquire the largest island in the world "one way or the other."

The European Parliament's political group leaders on Wednesday issued a statement condemning remarks by the Trump administration regarding Greenland as a "blatant" challenge to international law and to the sovereignty of NATO member Denmark.

The German Ministry of Defense on Wednesday announced that it will participate in a multinational reconnaissance mission in Greenland to assess potential military contributions to regional security.

At the invitation of Denmark, a team of 13 personnel from the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, will join other European nations for the mission in Greenland, according to the ministry.

The team is set to depart for Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, on Thursday morning.

The aim of the mission is to explore framework conditions for potential military support to Denmark in ensuring security in the region.

The Danish Ministry of Defense confirmed on Wednesday that Denmark is increasing its military presence in and around Greenland, working closely with NATO allies.

On the same day, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that Sweden had sent military personnel to Greenland at Denmark's request. Norway has also said that it is sending two military staffers to Greenland to "map out the further cooperation between allies."

(With input from Xinhua)